The Weary Blues : Literary devices

Literary devices

Symbols

Music : Hughes uses the symbol of blues music to show both pain and hope of the African-American race. The black musician sings that he has nobody in the world, only himself. 

“Ain’t got nobody in all this world.”

The Black musician plays “Weary Blues.” The blues are more than a song. It symbolizes the sadness, struggle, and weariness of African Americans. But at the same time, music also becomes a way to survive and express beauty. The piano and the song also stand for the artistic power of Black people.

Stars : Stars usually stand for hope and guidance. But in the poem, the Negro sings even after the stars go out. This means his sadness is so deep that even the light of hope has disappeared.

The Moon : The moon often stands for beauty, peace, and comfort. But here, the moon also goes out. It means the singer has lost beauty and peace in his world. His music comes from pain, and that pain has taken away his joy and hope.

Figures of Speech

Alliteration

Alliteration means repeating the same beginning sound in nearby words.

Example: “Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.”

Here, the “th” and “f” sounds repeat. This makes the reader hear the beat of the singer’s foot, like a drum in the song.

 “Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.”

Repetition

Repetition means using the same words or lines again and again for effect.

Example: “He did a lazy sway… He did a lazy sway…”

This line is repeated to show the slow movement of the singer. It also gives the feeling of rhythm, like real blues music.

Simile

A simile compares two things using ‘like’ or ‘as.’

Example: “He slept like a rock or a man that’s dead.”

Here, the singer’s sleep is compared to a rock or a dead man. It shows he is so tired and lifeless that he sleeps deeply without any motion.